Page 94 of A Dash of You

“Eggs and almond milk,” he answers on the spot.

“Okay fine, I believe you, muscle man. Let’s go. You want me to drive or you?”

“Should I trust your driving?”

I throw my hands on my hips. “That flat tire was not my fault.” I point at his chest, but my finger accidentally makescontact, and I swallow, snatching it back. “Besides. I have nice new tires, thanks to my amazing neighbor.”

He slowly nods. “Fine. You drive, but the minute I fear for my life, I’m jumping out.”

As we walk to my car, I turn to him. “You think jumping out of a moving vehicle is safer than me driving?”

“Not sure. Haven’t seen you drive yet.”

“Fair enough. Get in the car, big boy.” My cheeks heat at the slight flirting. I like it. It’s playful. But it also awakens me in ways I crave.

With frequent glances at Logan, I laugh inside. He’s way too big for my car.

I wave to Alvin, Logan nodding to him as he snatches a basket by the door.

“Together? Or separate shopping?”

“Together,” I answer with excitement.

Logan brushes my arm with his, then rests a hand at the small of my back, my knees almost buckling from his touch.

As he guides us forward, his fingertips teasing the hem of my shirt, my body stiffens. His hand on me is going to kill me.

“Okay. Baking aisle first, then the cold stuff.” I plop sugar and whatever else I need into the basket that Logan continues to carry, and then we head to the refrigerator section.

“Baking?”

“Always.” I smile and shrug. “Actually, I’m making something for the baking contest at the strawberry festival tomorrow.”

His attention leaves the milk, and he looks at me. “You’re going?”

“Yeah. Lana and I decided it would be a nice distraction. Better than alcohol. How about you?”

Logan sets down the almond milk, then grabs a cartoon of our local farmer’s eggs. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

The thrill being impossible to hide, but I try to mask it. But the way Logan’s eyes lighten, I’d say I did a terrible job at it.

“You seem to fit in well around here. Even Alvin is fond of you, and he’s not fond of anyone.”

I glance over at Alvin, who’s helping an older lady load up her cart.

I lean forward, whispering to Logan. “Really? He seems so nice.”

“He is, but it takes time for him to trust people. Seems like you won him over already. Pretty rare.” Logan drops his arm to the side, taking the plastic basket with him and we both head up front.

A grin widens on my face at the satisfaction. Not that I am smug, but it’s nice to hear people like me for who I really am, and in this town, I believe I’m starting to find myself.

Thirty

After reading Lana’s text, I grab my strawberry pie and head for the town square. She’s running late from the art studio, so she’s meeting me there.

It’s a perfect day. Only a few clouds, but it’s enough to block the sun, making the sizzling summer day more tolerable.

I pull the fallen strap up over my shoulder, hoping this dress covered in a strawberry pattern isn’t too much. It’s fun. Cute. But maybe a bit tacky and screams trying too hard.

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